2 July 2025
Jeremy Rockliff, Premier
Liberals commit to B-double rating through Sideling and detailed analysis of Corkerys Road option
Tasman Highway upgrades between Scottsdale and St Patricks River will be redeveloped with a B-double heavy vehicle rating, under a re-elected Liberal Government.
As part of this commitment, a re-elected Liberal Government will also instruct the Department of State Growth to undertake further detailed analysis of the alternative Corkerys Road option and the option to realign and upgrade the existing Tasman Highway route.
Two of the three stages of the $120 million Tasman Highway upgrades between Scottsdale and St Patricks River are B-double rated, including the first stage, which has already been completed.
However, there are concerns that the winding section through the Sideling on the existing route may not achieve that rating with available funding.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said there had been strong community feedback from residents and local businesses in relation to the alternative option.
“While initial analysis from the Department indicated that the topography of the Corkerys Road was not feasible for heavy vehicles, with grades of up to 15 per cent and potential landslip risks, we recognise the community’s desire to undertake this work,” the Premier said.
“This further analysis will take longer, but it is important to get this decision right and ensure it meets the needs of the North-East community.”
Further analysis will include geotechnical, land tenure and environmental studies to thoroughly compare the two routes.
Detailed investigations and designs of an alternative Corkerys Road route will be shared with final decisions to be made in consultation with the council, residents and the business community in a transparent process.
Should this once in a generation project require more investment in order to get it right once and for all, we will work with the Australian Government on the same 80:20 funding basis as we have before.
Stage two works between Whish-Wilson Road and Minstone Road will remain on track to start by the end of 2025.
In the meantime, B-double freight servicing the North-East will continue to be provided using the East Tamar Highway and Bridport Road.
